A small force was also employed this year in reducing Bhowanee, a fort in the Hurrianah country. The inhabitants had been in the habit of plundering all travellers, and at length ventured on the baggage of a British detachment. The chief met a representation by a peremptory denial of reparation in terms of insolence. The force in Rewaree, under Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, moved out towards the end of August, and arriving on the 27th, allowed the enemy twenty-four hours to consider. The terms were absolutely rejected, and on the 28th batteries were quickly erected; their fire opened the following morning, and by noon a breach was made, and the place carried by assault after a vigorous resistance.
“To Captain Mason, in the general command of the artillery, the very able arrangement of that officer’s department throughout, but particularly in conducting the duties of the breaching-batteries, with the very heavy and well-directed fire that was so rapidly kept up, in covering the advance and approach of the storming party to the points of attack, entitles Captain Mason to every commendation, and reflects great credit on the officers and men under his command.”
This detachment order was republished in the Government General Order, detailing the service.
We have been unable to ascertain what portion of the regiment, and what officers, were on this occasion employed.
We must now advert to two important additions which were made to the regiment in the course of this year. In August the Governor-General, adverting to the original establishment of the experimental horse artillery, the success of which on various occasions in the field has fully confirmed the judgment which was formed of the superior efficiency of a corps of that description for service in India, determined to make a considerable augmentation to the corps, and place it on a permanent establishment. It was accordingly directed to be increased to three troops; the officers and men to be drawn from the foot artillery.
| per Troop. | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Captains. | 1 | 3 |
| Capt.-Lieutenants. | 1 | 3 |
| Lieutenant. | 3 | 9 |
| Adjutant. | 1 | |
| Riding Master. | 1 | |
| Serj.-Major. | 1 | |
| R. R. Sergeant. | 1 | |
| Qr.-Master Serj. | 1 | |
| Serjeants. | 6 | 18 |
| Corporals. | 6 | 18 |
| Gunners. | 10 | 30 |
| Matrosses. | 80 | 240 |
| Trumpeters. | 2 | 6 |
| Farriers. | 1 | 3 |
| Native Farriers. | 1 | 3 |
| Native Doctors. | 1 | 3 |
| Serangs. | 1 | 3 |
| Tindals. | 2 | 6 |
| Lascars. | 24 | 72 |
| Horses. | 145 | 438 |
| Syces. | 145 | 438 |
| Grass-cutters. | 145 | 438 |
The senior captain exercised the command over the whole, in addition to the command of his own troop, subject to the orders of the commandant of artillery.
In December orders were issued for the formation of a corps of ordnance-drivers. Hitherto the drivers for the ordnance carriages had been hired as required, and discharged when the service was over; this system had worked so ill, and its faults had been so strongly brought to light in the late campaigns, that it was now resolved to introduce a better plan. An organized corps was raised, sufficient to provide a driver to every two bullocks, and divided into companies, which were attached to companies of artillery, in the same manner as the lascars, with whom they were assimilated as much as possible. They were clothed in uniform, and were not to be discharged except by the authority of the commandant of artillery or officers commanding the principal stations of the army.
Raised from the middle castes,—the Gwalas and Aheeas chiefly,—and attached to the service by the regular pay, the pension when worn out, and the treatment they received, this proved a valuable addition to the regiment.
In November two companies of independent golundaz were raised, to take the duties of Prince of Wales’ Island.